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Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Admiral Henry T. Mayo, Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet

 

Cablegram Received      September 7, 1917.

Origin    Opnav, Washington                         Serial No. 354

Via N C B 15 R                                                  Date No. 14007

Copies to C. of S.; J.V.B.1

Action referred to:

     Ad. Mayo.

From Chief of Naval Operations, Washington.

To Commander-in-Chief of Atlantic Fleet.

Opnav 354. Expressions of opinion by ourselves lately Naval Attache Newton A. McCully2 lead us to believe it is within the range of possibility for Germans to attempt the capture of the Russian Baltic fleet3 period Please inform us of admiralty’s opinion on subject and whether it has knowledge of any plans to effectually destroy the Russian fleet in case of such a contingency 14007

Admiral Benson.        

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Sims’ Chief of Staff, Capt. Nathan C. Twining and his aide and de facto Intelligence Officer, Cmdr. John V. Babcock.

Footnote 2: Capt. Newton A. McCully, United States Naval Attaché at St. Petersburg.

Footnote 3: Following the collapse of the Russian Provisional Government and the takeover by the Bolsheviks, Russia signed a separate peace with Germany in November 1917.

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